Support post structure

ABSTRACT

A support post structure utilizing a core of wooden material. A cap extends over the bottom of the post and along the side of the post. A sheath extends over the side of the post and overlaps the cap. A heat flowable sealant is placed between the sheath and the core. Both the sheath and the cap may be heat shrunk to the post.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novel and useful support post structure.

Support posts are general used to erect walls, fences, and other structures such as decks and the like. The support post used in these cases is normally partially buried beneath the ground and, in most cases, encapsulated with concrete or mortar. Despite such protection of the support post in the ground, moisture attacks the post which is normally constructed of wood. Such an occurrence tends to rot the post and undermine the structure which is being supported by the post.

In the past, many systems and structures have been proposed to protect post and poles. For example, United States Publication US2005/0005540 shows a mail box post protector in which a plastic box is fixed around the base of the pole and sealed by an adhesive.

United States Patent Publication 2005/0274938 describes a wooden post having a hardenable coating about its base portion.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,315,796, 5,725,921, and 5,733,613 illustrate protective sleeves which are slipped over the base of the posts that are put in to sub-soil environment.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,175,032 and 5,328,743 teach the use of heat shrinkable sheets to protect items from the elements such as sunlight, moisture, microbes, and the like.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,799,340 5,138,806, and PCT Publication WO 2004/024443 show the use of polymeric sheets of material which maybe wrapped around a wooden post and that are sealed by dams or strips using heat shrinking.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,351 describes a method for shrink-wrapping a portion of a fence post located below ground level using a polymeric sleeve. A collar is employed at the top of the shrink wrap section of the post to protect the same from abrasion.

A support post structure which includes a durable end shield and a protective coating would be a notable advanced in the building materials arts.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention a novel and useful support post structure is herein provided.

The support post structure utilizes a core of wooden material having a bottom and side portion extending therefrom. A cap is employed having a base which extends over the bottom of the core and a wall portion which extends along the side of the core.

A sheath is also employed in the present invention having first and second edge portions. The first edge portion of the sheath extends over the cap while the second edge portion extends along the side of the core apart from the cap. The sheath is heat shrunk relative to the core and the wall of the cap. In certain cases, the cap may also be heat shrunk over the bottom of the core and atop of the sheath lying against the core.

A heat flowable adhesive or sealant is also employed in the present invention. The sealant is located between the sheath and the core and between the sheath and the wall of the cap. The heat flowable sealant extends along the core side portion beyond the second edge portion of the sheath following heat shrinking of the sheath. In this manner, the sheath and cap provide a reinforced protection of the support post against the elements and the sealant prevents moisture and air from penetrating the space between the core and the sheath after heat shrinking.

The sheath may be formed of any suitable polymeric material such as polyolefin, polyvinylchloride, polyvinyl acetate, and the like. Heat shrinkage of these materials may take place by the application of hot air emanating from a flame source, an electric coil, and the like. The adhesive employed with the polyolefin material may take the form of a plastomer which is normally in a solid or semi-solid form and flows upon the application of heat. The sealant or adhesive would then form a seal upon cooling between the wooden core and the sheath and cap material.

It may be apparent that a novel and useful support post structure has been hereinabove described.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a support post structure which is suitable for placement below the surface of the ground without substantive deterioration due to the elements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a support post structure in which a heat shrunk sheath is reinforced by a cap to prevent damage to the sheath prior to, during, and after placement of apportion of the post beneath the ground surface.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a support post structure which utilizes a sealant or adhesive in combination with a heat-shrinkable polymeric material to protect the post and to maintain such protection over a long period of time.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a support post structure utilizing a polymeric sheath having a sealant layer which is simple to install on a post consisting of a wooden member.

The invention possesses other objects and advantages as especially as concerns particular characteristics and features thereof which will become apparent as the specification continues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the post of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1, showing an addition of concrete mass.

For a better understanding of the invention reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention which should be taken in conjunction with the above described drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects of the present invention will evolve from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be referenced to the prior described drawings.

An embodiment of the invention as a whole is depicted in the figures by reference character 10. Support post structure 10, FIG. 1, utilizes a core 12 of wooden material. Normally, core 12 would be susceptible to damage by moisture, ultraviolet light, and microbial growth. In many cases, prior support posts, similar to core 12, are treated with chemical entities to extend the life of the same when placed beneath the ground surface. In the present application core 12 may take the form of a post having a square, round, or rectangular cross-sectional configuration for use in supporting fences, decks, and other structures.

Core 12 has a side portion 14 and a bottom 16. Structure 10 of the present invention also includes an envelope 18 which extends over bottom 16 and at least a part of side portion 14.

Turning to FIG. 2, it may further observed that envelope 18 includes as one of its elements a cap 20 which possesses a base 22, extending over bottom 16 of core 12 and a wall 24 reaching or extending along side portion 14 of core 12, FIGS. 1 and 2. Sheath 26 is also employed in the envelope 18 of the present invention. Sheath 26 includes a first edge portion 28 and a second edge portion 30. Sheath 26 and first edge portion 28 extend over cap 20. Second edge portion 30 extends upwardly along side portion 14 of core 12. Both sheath 26 and cap 20 may be heat shrunk over core 12 to firmly hold the same in place as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 3, indicates that wall 24 of cap 20 only extends up side portion 14 of core 12 to the dashed line depicted in FIG. 1, identified as cap edge 32.

Most importantly, an adhesive or sealant layer 34, which is heat flowable, is employed between sheath 26 and core 12, FIG. 3, and between cap 20, wall 24 and sheath 26, FIG. 2. Such sealant 34 may be a plastomer that flows upon the application of heat used to heat shrink sheath 26 and cap 20 sealant layer 34 hardens and seals when such heat source is removed. In addition, adhesive or sealant layer 36 is employed between cap 20, and core 12. FIG. 4 illustrates such sealant layers 34 and 36, which are shown partially in FIGS. 2 and 3. Returning to FIG. 1, it may be apparent that sealant layer 34 is positioned beyond second edge 30 of sheath 26. Such position is a result of sealant layer 34 migrating from beneath sheath 26 when sheath 26 is heat shrunk. Also, this aspect of sealant layer 34 insures that the elements do not travel to the space between sheath 26 and core 12. Returning again to FIG. 4, it may be seen that post structure 10 has been embedded in a concrete mass 38.

In operation, device 10 is assembled by placement of cap 20 and sealant layer 36 over the bottom 16 of wooden core 12. Sheath 26, having sealant layer 34, is then placed over the side 14 of core 12 and the wall 24 of cap 20. Heat, in any form, is then applied to sheath 26 and cap 20. This causes the heat shrinking of sheath 26 and cap 20, as well as the flowing of sealant layers 34 and 36. In this manner, sealant layers 34 and 36 are spread evenly, along and around core 12 and cap 20, and around core 12, respectively. In addition, sealant layer 34 extends beyond second edge 30 of sheath 26 to prevent elements such as water, air, microbes, and the like from entering the space between sheath 26 and core 12.

Cap 20, serves to further re-enforce and to protect the bottom 16 of wood core 12, since this portion of wood core 12 often takes impacting when placed in concrete mass 38 or into the soil in any holes formed in soil layer 40.

While in the foregoing, embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such detail without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention. 

1. A support post structure utilizing a core of wooden material, the post having a bottom and a side portion extending therefrom comprising: a. a cap, said cap having a base extending over the bottom, and a wall extending along a portion of the side of the core; b. a sheath said sheath including a first edge portion and a second edge portion, said first edge portion of said sheath extending over the cap, said sheath, being heat shrunk relative to the care and to the wall of the cap; and c. a heat flowable sealant, said heat flowable sealant located between said sheath and said wall of said cap, said heat flowable sealant extending along the core beyond said second edge portion of said sheath following beat shrinking of said sheath
 2. The structure of claim 1 in which said sheath first edge portion extends to said base of said cap.
 3. The structure of claim 1 in which said heat flowable sealant extends along said sheath beyond said wall of said cap.
 4. The structure of claim 1 in which said sheath comprises a polymeric material.
 5. The structure of claim 4 in which said cap comprises a polymeric material.
 6. The structure of claim 1 in which said cap comprises a heat shrunk member relative to the core.
 7. The structure of claim 6 in which said sheath first edge portion extends to said base of said cap.
 8. The structure of claim 6 in which said heat flowable sealant extends along said sheath beyond said wall of said cap.
 9. The structure of claim 6 in which said sheath comprises a polymeric material.
 10. The structure of claim 9 in which said cap comprises a polymeric material. 